BJP key role in Nagaland

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi on Saturday. Picture by Prem Singh

TT, Dimapur/ Guwahati: The ruling Naga People's Front and the rival NDPP-BJP alliance were neck and neck in a hung Nagaland Assembly on Saturday, with the lone Independent member's vote and a possible switch of sides by the BJP appearing to hold the key to government formation.

According to a break-up provided by sources from both camps, the BJP had put up its best showing, raising its tally from one seat in 2013 to 12 this time. Its ally and debutant Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party had won 17 seats, the sources added, giving the combine 29 members - two short of majority in a House of 60.

The NPF has 27 seats - down from 38 the last time - while its allies National People's Party and Janata Dal United have 2 and 1, respectively, bringing the coalition's total to 30.

Both alliances claimed the support of the lone Independent, Tongpang Ozukum, and expressed confidence about forming the government. While the Independent member's vote would give the NPF alliance the required majority, his backing for the NDPP-BJP would leave the two groupings tied.

The NPF, however, claimed possible BJP support too.

The Election Commission website, though, gave the updates for only 58 seats till late night, according the BJP and its ally 11 and 16 seats, respectively. The state chief electoral officer's office said it had the results of only 56 seats - because of network trouble - but gave no break-up.

Senior NPF politician Sebastian Zumvu told The Telegraph: "We have the numbers with our pre-poll allies and the Independent. But most important, senior BJP leader Kiren Rijiju has extended his (party's) support to us for the sake of stability."

He added: "Only after a meeting with Rijiju will the NPF stake its claim to form the government."

Rijiju, who is expected in Kohima on Sunday, had conveyed his party's stand to chief minister T.R. Zeliang on Saturday afternoon, Zumvu said.

Zeliang has made it clear that his party, which had fought a hard battle against the NDPP-BJP, is "ready" to form the government with the BJP if it agrees to a post-poll alliance.

Neiphiu Rio, the NDPP-BJP's chief ministerial candidate, however, highlighted the ruling party's attacks on the BJP during the campaign.

Asked whether he expected the BJP to stay loyal to the NDPP, Rio told a TV channel: "Yes. I trust them. We have to trust one another and work."

State BJP president Visasolie Lhounge said: "It's very difficult to say what will happen in a hung House. A lot of discussions will take place but the final call will be taken by the central leadership."

Visasolie was happy with his party's "excellent" performance and attributed it to the hard work put in by its politicians and workers, the central government' development programmes and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Act East policy towards India's East Asian neighbours.

Asked about the Church's call for voters to stay away from the BJP, Visasolie said it had been unwarranted. "Some vested interests were trying to confuse the people by mixing religion with politics," he said.